Rezz

I think to appreciate this car properly, you have to look at Mitsuoka's current line up, then have a look at what they used to do to S15 Silvias... For example, here's what they do to Honda Accord Euros: http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/lineup/nouera/index.html And the poor bastard S15 Silvia known as the 'La Seyde': So knowing that I think the Orochi sports car is fantastic coming from Mitsuoka and I'm glad they stuck with it and didn't give in.

http://www.mitsuoka-orochi.com/ The 3rd Generation of 'Orochi' is finally announced. Back in 2001 Mitsuoka Motor Co. showed it's first prototype of the Orochi sportscar at the Tokyo Motor Show to a gobsmacked crowd who couldn't wait for it's official unveiling 'in 2003'. Along came 2003 with another promise from Mitsuoka that the car will be ready on schedule.. but to no avail. Then, at the 2005 TMS, Mitsuoka once again promised - but could not deliver - the official unveiling of the Orochi ('big snake' in Japanese). After all that, the 'market reaction' model of the 3rd generation Orochi was shown at Roppongi Hills on September 6th. (see pics) The car will be powered by a Toyota 3MZ-FE 3300cc V6 mated to a 5MT automatic gearbox. The 2005 show car, the Orochi Nude Roadster, was built on a Honda NSX platform as a mock up, but the production versions will use an original platform. President Akio Mitsuoka of MITSUOKA MOTOR comments, "We made a breakthrough, and we could not help abandoning the promise of making an announcement for the Orochi to go on sale by Tokyo Motor Show despite the difficulties of passing homologation". President Akio Mitsuoka clarified that development was at an advanced state due to the cooperation of Toyota, so that "we could make it to marketing stage without fail in 2006", unfortunately the chassis and the body panels were revised (no convertable will be offered) so it became a regrettable result for the many Orochi fans. Mitsuoka has already acquired the number of production units to be made, and is correct to assume that Mitsuoka is very happy with result of the final appraisal vehicle that was shown before the car goes on the market. Details like the spec, price, and the number etc. of the annual output wil be clarified by a formal announcement on October 2. The 2005 Roadster 'Naked'. Personally, there are some design elements I don't like, particularly the front grille and some of the swooping lines down the side of the car, but overall is incredibly unique... and this is from MITSUOKA!!! I hope it's a sales success and is the beginning of the end of Mitsuoka's love affair with 1940's styling.

I'd agree with what Shan said about it looking like a shrunk Odyssey. Even the tailgate comes right down into the rear bumper like the Odyssey, almost giving it a 'minivan but not' look from the rear. If the rear glass was anymore upright I guess you could call it a minivan. Far nbe it from me to comment on a cars styling (lol) I think it's proportions and 'cab forward' design are all wrong and it's 3/4 rear view looks hideous.

The meanest Police car I ever saw 'in the metal' was a Crown Athlete in the Panda color scheme with the bug deflector and roof mounted strobes.... boring. The gayest police car I saw in the metal was a Toyota Vitz (Yarus) with the panda colors and the roof mounted lights. With two fully uniformed and gun toting cops in it it was a something to behold

I thought it was painful having my parking space around the back of my building...

Alright Christian! Finally we might get to meet in person I'll see what I can do about ladies, but don't count on it

Richard I take it you an Nick will be there come hell or high water... so on the list you go!

Yeah thats why I put '*New*' and '*Infiniti G35*' in the title...

Ah yes... the police confirming your parking space... haha they didn't even bother with me (this was in Ashiya), they're supposed to go out and 'sight' the space in person but many don't I assume.

Well done mate lol @ the NSX, unjustified mods there! btw, were you off to some lessons later?

Haha thats one thing I totally forgot about... what day? Saturday for sure for the big meet up, but I will endevour to get in on the Friday too with Nick and Richard if they'll sort out the 'press passes'...

I'm guilty of pulling out of the 2005 TAS meet up, but not this time. Links: e-autosalon.net Makuhari Messe (Convention Center) Where? Location 　　MAKUHARI MESSE (Nippon Convention Center) 　　International Exhibit Halls 1 through 8. 　　2-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan 　 When? Show schedule 　　January 12 to 14, 2007 (Friday through Sunday) 　　Some restrictions apply on Friday, not open to the public. Email: [email protected] Train Map: Notes: Saturday 13th January 2007 - Morning meet up point: Outside JR Makuhari Station (East exit?) Time: 9:00am - Midday meet up point: Outside 'Central Cafeteria' to the left of the main entrance as you walk in Time: 12:00pm - Evening meet up point: Outside main entrance Time: TBA I'll make a list of all the people who are interested in coming at the bottom of this post, and update it as we go along. I want to try and avoid a possible situation where 20 people are raring to go but waiting on one or two people, so we'll have to make a final cut off time for the meet up. I realize that we can't all walk around in one group (we're all interested in different things at different times) so a morning meet up point, a lunch time meet up point, and an after show meet up point will be in place. I also realize that numbers will dwindle at each successive meet up point, so I'm not expecting big numbers for any after show things we might organise. I'll add to this section too as 'probems' arise... I'll post up my JDM mobile phone number when I reconnect it in November. Feel free to call/email me beforehand or even at TAS if you can't find us etc. I'll post up other members numbers too if they can help out. Member List: Rezz (Justin) - Definate Shiro240 (Steve) - Definate Beer Baron (Richard) - Definate Circusmonkey (Christian) - 90% definate Demon Dave - (Dave) - Definate Asphalt Jet - (Thomas) - Definate RaceBorn - (Amir) - Definate Poida - (Poida) - Definate

Actually the model there is the one to be shown at the Paris Motor Show so you might be right about the Euro version being heavier, not quite sure as to 'why' though... the old model (JDM) was listed as 1190kg so the Euro version will break the 1200kg barrier for sure. That sounds pretty weird for a 3-door hatch, but I guess thats the way things are going. I'm not sure if the JDM version will be that much lighter though... if they can trim 80 - 90kg then it'd be more like the old EK version (which is what people buy this type of car for I suppose?)

Hi Steve You finally joined up here... Not offering parking spaces is what happens all the time, you have to go look for parking spaces yourself (within a 3km radius of your apartment if I recall correctly) and generally these are privately owned parking areas which you rent a space on a monthly basis. Sometimes in newer apartment blocks there will be a space allocated for your apartment, but you still have to pay extra in order to use that space. The only way out of it is if you live in a proper detached house with it's own garage or driveway, or park on the street somewhere. The monthly costs depend on the area, for example a space on the outskirts of the city or in less desirable areas will be cheap (under 10,000 yen/month), right up to fully secure with nightwatchmen, service garage (yes free services) and keycard entry multi storey parking for around 100,000 - 200,000yen/month for all the hiRollaz... on average though between 10,000 - 20,000yen/month is what to expect in the city areas.

I hear that dashboard is pretty much production ready, heck the whole interior looks like a high tech junior S2000... which can only be a good thing. It does look pudgy overall though.